An unexpected policy reversal marks Kristi Noem's first significant action as the new Secretary of Homeland Security.
According to Fox News, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has canceled the Biden administration's last-minute extension of deportation protections for Venezuelan nationals, which former Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas implemented just before leaving office.
The policy change affects approximately 600,000 Venezuelan nationals currently covered under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Trump administration's deportation efforts, particularly targeting members of the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), will now proceed without the constraints imposed by the previous extension.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially vacated the January 10 decision that would have extended TPS designation for Venezuelan nationals by 18 months. This extension, along with similar protections for migrants from El Salvador, Sudan, and Ukraine, was part of a series of measures implemented by former Secretary Mayorkas.
Noem addressed the policy change during an appearance on "FOX and Friends," explaining her department's stance. She emphasized that the previous administration's actions would have allowed individuals to remain in the country and potentially violate laws for an additional year and a half.
The decision aligns with President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement strategy, which includes enhanced border security measures and a series of executive orders targeting illegal immigration.
The announcement followed a day of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in New York City, where Noem personally oversaw efforts to apprehend criminal illegal immigrants. Speaking about the operation, Noem shared the following statement:
Listen, I was in New York City yesterday, and the people of this country want these dirtbags out. They want their communities to be safe. It was so amazing to me to see people walk by us on the street early in the morning and just say, 'Thank you. Thank you for being here.'
The ICE operations in New York City are part of a nationwide initiative to increase deportations. DHS has implemented several changes to strengthen ICE's authority, including removing Biden-era restrictions on expedited removal powers and eliminating certain parole provisions.
The cancellation of TPS extension significantly impacts the Venezuelan immigrant community in the United States. The protection had previously shielded them from deportation while allowing them to obtain work permits.
DHS announced that it will now evaluate all individuals currently in the country, including Venezuelan nationals and TDA members, through standard immigration processes. This marks a departure from the previous administration's more lenient approach to Venezuelan migrants.
The policy change reflects the current administration's commitment to stricter immigration enforcement and border control measures, prioritizing domestic security concerns over humanitarian considerations.
Secretary Noem's decision to cancel the TPS extension for Venezuelan nationals represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration. The move affects hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants who previously enjoyed deportation protection under the Biden administration's policies.
The change accompanies broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement, including expanded ICE operations and the removal of various restrictions on deportation procedures. These actions signal a continued focus on strict immigration control and enhanced border security measures under the current administration.
